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[[Image:Ken Ham press.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Ken Ham]]
[[Image:Answers in Genesis logo adopted 2016.png|thumbnail|right|350px|Answers in Genesis is a non-profit [[Young earth creationism|young earth creationist]] organization.]]
'''Answers in Genesis''' is a non-profit [[young earth creationist]] organization that is dedicated to "defending the [[Bible]] from the very first verse". Its president is [[Ken Ham]], who was a former public school science teacher, and once worked for the [[Institute for Creation Research]] before founding Answers in Genesis in the [[United States]].
'''Answers in Genesis''' is a non-profit [[young earth creationist]] organization that is dedicated to "defending the [[Bible]] from the very first verse". Its president is [[Ken Ham]], who was a former public school science teacher, and once worked for the [[Institute for Creation Research]] before founding Answers in Genesis in the [[United States]].
Answers in Genesis in the United States has a state-of-the-art [[Creation Museum]] which opened on May 28, 2007, admitting more than 4,000 visitors on its first day. AiG also opened the Ark Encounter, a full-sized replica of the biblical Noah's Ark, on July 7, 2016. The Answers in Genesis website won the "Ministry Website of the Year" award in 2006 from the National Religious Broadcasters out of 1,400 possible recipients, and received about 45,000 site visits per day in 2006.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2006/0118nrb.asp</ref>
Answers in Genesis in the United States has a state-of-the-art [[Creation Museum]] which opened on May 28, 2007, admitting more than 4,000 visitors on its first day. AiG also opened the [[Ark Encounter]], a full-sized replica of the biblical Noah's Ark, on July 7, 2016. The Answers in Genesis website won the "Ministry Website of the Year" award in 2006 from the National Religious Broadcasters out of 1,400 possible recipients, and received about 45,000 site visits per day in 2006.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/docs2006/0118nrb.asp</ref>
In addition to its numerous United States activities, AiG is active in several other countries around the world, particularly the [[United Kingdom]].<ref>Ham, Steve (December 30, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/core-ministry/aigs-international-ministry-spreads-creation-evangelism-message-around-world/ AiG’s International Ministry Spreads the Creation Evangelism Message Around the World]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 1, 2016.</ref>
==Early history==
[[Image:Ken Ham press.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Ken Ham, the cofounder and president of AiG.]]
Answers in Genesis was launched in 1994, then called "Creation Science Ministries".<ref name="History">[https://answersingenesis.org/about/history/ History]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> It was created with the intention of being "more layperson-oriented" than the [[Institute for Creation Research]].<ref name="History"/> That same year, the organization's name was changed to "Answers in Genesis", which is the current name of the ministry.<ref name="History"/>
== Dispute with Creation Ministries International ==
== Dispute with Creation Ministries International ==
CMI had intimated that they will resume the legal proceedings, but the dispute is now settled, as of April 2009<ref>[http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=breakdown Breakdown]</ref>
CMI had intimated that they will resume the legal proceedings, but the dispute is now settled, as of April 2009<ref>[http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=breakdown Breakdown]</ref>
While Answers in Genesis has chosen to not discuss the lawsuit on their website, they do offer a perspective into the decision to create separate organizations and state that while there were philosophical differences in how the organizations were to be run, that both organizations continue to have the same belief in Creationism and the parting was due to how to best present that message. AiG also discusses the discontinuation of ''Creation'' magazine in favor of ''Answers''.<ref>http://www.answersingenesis.org/about/history</ref>
While Answers in Genesis has chosen to not discuss the lawsuit on their website, they do offer a perspective into the decision to create separate organizations and state that while there were philosophical differences in how the organizations were to be run, that both organizations continue to have the same belief in Creationism and the parting was due to how to best present that message. AiG also discusses the discontinuation of ''Creation'' magazine in favor of ''Answers''.<ref name="History"/>
As is common in disputes where no resolution has been found, the presentations of CMI and AiG in describing what occurred have a different emphasis on events.
As is common in disputes where no resolution has been found, the presentations of CMI and AiG in describing what occurred have a different emphasis on events.
==Creation Museum==
According to AiG, Ken Ham, AiG's president, had a vision for "a [[creation museum]] that teaches the truth" since 1979, when he began his ministry in Creation Science.<ref name="History"/> During the mid-1990s, after AiG was founded, the ministry began searching for land in Northern Kentucky to build the museum.<ref name="History"/> The Museum was opened on May 28, 2007<ref name="History"/> at the cost of $27 million.<ref name="Rothstein">Rothstein, Edward (May 24, 2007). [https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/arts/24crea.html?_r=0 Adam and Eve in the Land of the Dinosaurs]. ''The New York Times''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref> $21 million of the cost was raised through private donations.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (July 31, 2006). [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/14122311/ High Tech Museum Brings Creationism to Life]. ''NBC News''. Retrieved August 10, 2016.</ref>
It was estimated that 250,000 people would visit the museum in the first year.<ref name="Rothstein"/> However, the 250,000th visitor visited the museum in early November, nearly seven months ahead of schedule.<ref name="History"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Creation Museum hits 250K visitors |newspaper=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=November 3, 2007 |url=http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20071103/NEWS0103/711030409/ |accessdate=July 22, 2013}}</ref>
The aesthetics of the museum have been praised even by critics of the museum.<ref name="Rothstein"/>
==Great Homeschool Conventions==
==Great Homeschool Conventions==
In March 2011, AiG and Ham had an invitation to the two Great [[Homeschool]] Conventions revoked by the events' organizers. The organizers cited Ham's criticism of the group as the reason for the revoked invitation.<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/03/22/kicked-out-homeschool-conferences AiG announcement]</ref>
In March 2011, AiG and Ham had an invitation to the two Great [[Homeschool]] Conventions revoked by the events' organizers. The organizers cited Ham's criticism of the group as the reason for the revoked invitation, but the board of AiG found no spiritual wrongdoing on Ham's part.<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/03/22/kicked-out-homeschool-conferences Kicked Out of Two Homeschool Conferences]. ''Answers in Genesis''. March 22, 2011.</ref>
==Ken Ham-Bill Nye debate==
[[File:Creation Museum Legacy Hall.jpg|thumb|The Legacy Hall in the Creation Museum, where the debate between Ken Ham and Bill Nye took place.]]
{{See also|Bill Nye / Ken Ham debate of February 4, 2014}}
On February 4, 2014, [[Ken Ham]], the president of AiG, debated science educator and evolutionist [[Bill Nye]] at the Creation Museum.<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/countering-the-culture/bill-nye-debates-ken-ham/ Bill Nye Debates Ken Ham]. ''Answers in Genesis''. February 4, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The debate was the dominant trending topic on Twitter and Facebook and it was estimated that over 3 million people watched the debate live.<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/creation-vs-evolution/over-3-million-tuned-in-live-for-historic-bill-nye-and-ken-ham-evolutioncreation-debate/ Over 3 Million Tuned In Live for Historic Bill Nye and Ken Ham Evolution/Creation Debate]. "'Answers in Genesis''. February 5, 2014. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> It was reported in the [[mainstream media]] that because of the debate, interest and support for the Ark Encounter, which had been struggling for funds, returned, and AiG was able to raise enough money so construction could begin in 2014,<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/28/creation-museum-kentucky-noahs-ark-museum-ken-ham |title= Creation Museum's $73m Noah's Ark park to begin construction in Kentucky |department= World news |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] |agency= [[Associated Press]] |date= 28 February 2014 |accessdate= 13 April 2014}}</ref> even though AiG has stated that this was not the case, as it was not reasonably possible to purchase a bond after the debate.<ref>Ham, Ken & Looy, Mark (August 22, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/media-misinformation-continues-ark/ Media Misinformation Continues with the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 22, 2016.</ref>
==Ark Encounter==
After the completion and success of the [[Creation Museum]], Ham and AiG started focusing on building the [[Ark Encounter]], a life-sized replica of Noah's Ark.<ref name="History"/> The plans for constructing the Ark Encounter were announced by AiG, along with Kentucky Governor [[Steve Beshear]] on December 1, 2010.<ref name="History"/>
During the construction of the Ark Encounter, AiG sued the state of [[Kentucky]] after officials blocked AiG from receiving a sales tax tourism incentive worth up to $18 million because AiG would use the Ark Encounter to share the gospel. On January 25, 2016, Federal Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove ruled in AiG's favor, ruling that blocking the incentives from AiG was unconstitutional and violated their [[First Amendment]] protections.<ref>Lovan, Dylan (January 25, 2016). [http://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/grant-county/ark-encounter-builder-wins-legal-battle-over-tax-incentives Ark Encounter builder wins legal battle over tax incentive]. ''WCPO.com'' Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Caproni, Erin (January 26, 2016). [http://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/morning_call/2016/01/judge-rules-on-ark-encounter-incentives.html Judge rules on Ark Encounter incentives]. ''Cincinnati Business Courier''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/religious-freedom/victory-ark-encounter-federal-court/ Victory for AiG/Ark Encounter in Federal Court]. ''Answers in Genesis''. January 25, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>
On July 7, 2016, the Ark Encounter was opened to the public in Williamstown, [[Kentucky]].<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/07/ark-encounter-opens-to-the-public/ Ark Encounter Opens to the Public!] ''Answers in Genesis''. July 7, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The ark cost $100 million and is 510 feet long, 85 feet wide, and 51 feet high, based on the dimensions given in the Bible.<ref>Weed, Alexis (July 8, 2016). [https://edition.cnn.com/2016/07/07/us/noahs-ark-kentucky/ Noah's Ark Opens at Kentucky Theme Park]. ''CNN''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> The opening date, 7/7, was intentionally chosen to coincide with Genesis 7:7. The next day, Bill Nye visited the Ark Encounter upon invitation from Ham.<ref>Ham, Ken. [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/07/08/bill-nye-visits-ark-encounter/ Bill Nye Visits the Ark Encounter]. ''Answers in Genesis''. July 8, 2016. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> As they walked the Ark, they had an informal debate.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nye|first1=Bill |last2=Ham |first2=Ken |lastauthoramp=yes|title=Nye/Ham: The Second Debate Premiere (video - 117:04)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPLRhVdNp5M |date=13 March 2017 |work=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
==Beliefs==
As a Christian organization, AiG believes that salvation is obtained through faith in [[Christ]] alone, regardless of whether one believes in Creation or Evolution.<ref>Gish, Duane (Spetember 1, 1989). [https://answersingenesis.org/theistic-evolution/is-it-possible-to-be-a-christian-and-an-evolutionist/ Is it Possible to be a Christian and an Evolutionist?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref name="Depend">Ham, Ken (January 1, 2010). [https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/young-earth/does-the-gospel-depend-on-a-young-earth/ Does the Gospel Depend on a Young Earth?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved March 25, 2017.</ref> Despite this, AiG does believe that having a literal view of Genesis is important in understanding the [[Gospel]] and in having a high view of God and the Bible, among other reasons (i.e. an authority issue, rather than a salvation issue).<ref name="Depend"/><ref>Mortenson, Terry (February 29, 2008). [https://answersingenesis.org/why-does-creation-matter/are-we-wasting-our-time/ Are We Wasting Our Time?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>
Answers in Genesis does not support the [[liberal]] and [[evolutionist]] point of view that man is an [[animal]],<ref>[https://answersingenesis.org/are-humans-animals/ Are Humans Animals?], Answers in Genesis. answersingenesis.org</ref> nor does it support mandating the teaching of creationism in public schools because "it would likely be taught poorly (and possibly mockingly) by a teacher who does not understand what the Bible teaches and who believes in evolution."<ref>Ham, Ken & Patterson, Roger (September 17, 2013). [https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/in-schools/should-christians-be-pushing-to-have-creation-taught-in-government-schools/ Chapter 3 - Should Christians Be Pushing to Have Creation Taught in Government Schools?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref> AiG does believe that both teachers and students "should have academic freedom to critically examine scientific facts and the worldviews by which they are interpreted."<ref>Mitchell, Elizabeth (December 3, 2011). [https://answersingenesis.org/creationism/in-schools/reexamining-teaching-creationism-in-schools/ Reexamining Teaching Creationism in Schools]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref>
AiG does not support the [[intelligent design]] movement because although it affirms a creator of the universe, it does not challenge the theory of evolution and long ages and, more importantly, it does not specify who exactly the creator was and separates [[general revelation]] and [[special revelation]] from each other.<ref>Purdom, Georgia, Dr. (May 6, 2010). [https://answersingenesis.org/intelligent-design/is-the-intelligent-design-movement-christian/ Chapter 13 - Is the Intelligent Design Movement Christian?]. ''Answers in Genesis'' (from ''The New Answers Book 2''). Retrieved October 25, 2016.</ref>
Based on its belief in the Bible, citing verses such as Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, AiG believes homosexuality to be a sin.<ref>Chaffey, Tim (January 14, 2011). [https://answersingenesis.org/family/homosexuality/gods-not-clear-on-homosexuality/ God’s Not Clear on Homosexuality?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved August 5, 2016.</ref><ref>Golden, Steve (January 29, 2013). [https://answersingenesis.org/family/homosexuality/pro-gay-theology-does-the-bible-approve-of-homosexuality/ Pro-Gay Theology: Does the Bible Approve of Homosexuality?] ''Answers in Genesis''. Retreived August 5, 2016.</ref> To celebrate the [[Christmas]] season in 2016, AiG decorated the Ark with [[rainbow]] lights in order to "take the rainbow back" from the [[homosexual agenda]] and show the true and undefiled meaning of the rainbow as recorded in [[Genesis]] 9:12-16.<ref>Ham, Ken (December 20, 2016). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2016/12/20/rainbow-lights-at-ark/ Rainbow Lights at the Ark]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 17, 2017.</ref><ref>Wartman, Scott (December 23, 2016). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/12/23/kentucky-ark-builder-wants-take-rainbow-back/95802416/ Kentucky ark builder wants to take rainbow back]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved January 17, 2017.</ref> Like usual, the media and supporters of the homosexual agenda have circulated blatant misrepresentations and even lies concerning this action as well as the true meaning of the rainbow.<ref>Ham, Ken (January 16, 2017). [https://answersingenesis.org/blogs/ken-ham/2017/01/16/christians-who-accept-millions-years-undermine-gods-word/ Christians Who Accept Millions of Years Undermine God’s Word]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved January 17, 2017.</ref> Ken Ham announced in February 2017 that AiG would permanently light the Ark in rainbow colors.<ref>Ham, Ken (February 3, 2017). [https://answersingenesis.org/ministry-news/ark-encounter/keeping-rainbow-at-ark-encounter/ We’re Keeping the Rainbow at the Ark Encounter]. ''Answers in Genesis''. Retrieved February 5, 2017.</ref>
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist|2}}
{{Reflist|colwidth=35em}}
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis] (official site)
*[https://www.answersingenesis.org Answers in Genesis] (official site)
*[https://arkencounter.com/ Ark Encounter website]
*[https://creationmuseum.org/ Creation Museum website]
*[http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/default.htm No Answers in Genesis] (anti-creationist)
*[http://home.austarnet.com.au/stear/default.htm No Answers in Genesis] (anti-creationist)
* [http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=breakdown Breakdown]—About the breakdown of the Hawaii agreement between AiG and CMI.
* [http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=breakdown Breakdown]—About the breakdown of the Hawaii agreement between AiG and CMI.
* [http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=briese_committee_menu The Briese committee of inquiry, Mark 2] A third-party investigation of the dispute between AiG and CMI.
* [http://www.creationontheweb.biz/?page=briese_committee_menu The Briese committee of inquiry, Mark 2] A third-party investigation of the dispute between AiG and CMI.
==See Also==
*[[Christianity]]
*[[American Christianity]]
[[Category:Young Earth Creationism]]
[[Category:Young Earth Creationism]]
[[Category:Christian Organizations]]
[[Category:Christian Organizations]]
[[Category:Apologetics]]